What’s Going on in There?

(Be sure to see video below of baby turtles being released)

At Akumal Playa, near where we live there is a new dwelling. It’s large and rustic with room for lots of neighbors. And when we say “lots,” we mean it. Hundreds, maybe thousands, have already moved in.

The place name Akumal comes from the native Mayan language and translates broadly to “home of the turtle.” Anchored in the heart of hugely popular Riviera Maya, sea turtles were among the first to occupy this coral capped coast. But today the future of these prehistoric amphibians is threatened by many factors including nonstop human migration.

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There is tremendous diversity of wildlife here on the Yucatan peninsula. And various species seem as curious about us as we are about them. Iguanas strut and pose in the yard. Huge rodents called agoutis scavenge like panhandlers by dawn’s early light. Yellow belly flycatchers visit our veranda each morning and chirp us awake. Spider monkeys perch on branches with an arrogant air. And (we hear) the occasional jaguar lurks about without causing much fuss.

While these creatures cause no particular threat they are curiosities for we two recent US arrivals. And they seem to be in balance with expanding populations of humans.

But turtles (tortugas) are a different matter. In particular, four species are threatened, even considered “endangered” by international wildlife advocates. Futures for Green, Hawksbill, Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles are all in doubt.

Recently we, (Peggy and Chip) decided to learn more. Within the grounds where they live there is a sanctuary in the sand for baby turtles. This is the enormous, handhewn structure which recently appeared on the beach, beneath the palms

Champion of the Turtles

Adan Poot is principle caretaker at the beachfront turtle nursery donated by a nearby, posh hotel. He works principally at night when the bulk of the egg laying occurs and mostly alone, recruiting volunteers as best he can. Enthusiastic spectators from the hotel and local community come and go.

Adan attends expectant mother turtles nearly nightly during egg laying season which is roughly June through September. He monitors arrivals by moonlight as they crawl laboriously out of the Caribbean surf. Then he watches as they land singly, scout the beach for some privacy, claw out a nest, deposit dozens and dozens of eggs in the sand, then drag themselves back to sea never looking back.

After the Mamas depart, Adan (assisted by randomly recruited assistants) carefully excavates the eggs and deposits them in the protected nursery. It is taxing, tiring work. All done at night.

Eggs hide deep in sand inside the secure nursery, open to seabreeze but mostly safe from hungry predators. Here the eggs mature for about 60 days.

Through the birthing season, Adan watches the mounded nests. He catalogs them, dates them, protects them. Then, like “sand through an hour glass,” at just the right time Adan excavates each nest. Again assisted only by random recruits he releases the determined hatchlings who frantically and unerringly head out to sea. It is exhilarating to watch. Meet one of the babies in this video below.

The moment is gratifying despite the chillingly low survival rate. One thing is certain. Without the intervention of Adan and others the estimated less than 10 % survivors who live to produce future turtle generations would be even fewer.

You can find out more…by friending Adan Poot on Facebook.